Refrigeration system having an atmospheric temperature responsive condenser



y 7, 1963 I E. J. KOCHER 3,088,292

REFRIGERATION SYSTEM HAVING AN ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVECONDENSER Filed Nov. 16, 1961 RECEIVER INVENTOR.

6. J. Kacher 26 BY 3,088,292 RE R GER TION SYSTEM H G N T- MOSPHERICTEMlERATURE RESBQNSlV-E CONDENSER Erich J. Kocher, Milwaukee, Wis,assignor to Vilter Manufacturing Corporation, a corporation of WisconsinFiled Nov. 16 1961, Ser. No. 152,771 4 Claims. (Cl. 62-196) Thisinvention relates generally to improvements in the art of refrigeration,and it relates more especially to an improved mode of controlling theactuation .of refrigerating systems wherein the functioning of thecondenser is affected more or less by changes in temperature of theambient atmosphere.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improvedrefrigeration system which is simple in construction and which iseffectively operable under the influence of changes in atmosphericconditions.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide refrigeration orair-conditioning systems capable of being operated in conjunction with acondenser exposed to and affected by ambient atmospheric conditions. Insuch prior systems, proper functioning is obtained even when the outdoortemperature becomes higher or lower than the temperature required in thespace being conditioned by the evaporator by means of valv-ing and flowarrangements which cause variances in the effective cooling surface ofthe condenser. While these prior systems are feasible and operable, theydo nevertheless require the use of relatively complicated and unreliableequipment in order to effect automaticand proper functioning of thesystems.

It is therefore an important specific object of this in vention toprovide a simplified and more reliable automatically functioningrefrigeration or air-conditioning system embodying an atmospherictemperature responsive or controlled condenser.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide arefrigerating system in which the delivery of refrigerantto anevaporator is controlled by an air-cooled or evaporative condensercooperating with a compressor and receiver, and wherein the properfunctioning of the the condenser is effected by variations in receiverpressure as produced by fluctuations in the temperature of therefrigerant delivered by the compressor.

A further important object of the invention is to provide arefrigeration system having an atmosperic temperature responsivecondenser the capacity of which is controlled by variable flooding asinduced by changes in the compressor discharge temperature acting uponthe pressure in the receiver.

These and other more specific objects and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the construction and operation of a typicalrefrigeration system embodying the present invention will be apparentfrom. the drawing accompanying and forming a part. of..thisspecification in which the various parts are identified by suitablereference characters.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the improved refrigerationsystem; and

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged central vertical section through a typicalpressure actuated diaphragm valve for controlling the gas pressure inthe receiver.

While the invention has been illustrated as having been incorporated ina system having a single evaporating coil adapted to be used either forordinary refrigeration or for air-conditioning purposes, it is notintended to confine the system to any particular usage; and it is alsocontemplated that specific descriptive terms be given the broadestinterpretation consistent with the disclosure.

$333,292 Patented May 7, 1963 Referring to the drawing, the improvedsystem comprises, in general, a compressor 4; an atmospheric temperatureresponsive refrigerant condenser 5; a compressed refrigerant gas supplyline 6 connecting the compressor 4 discharge with the inlet of thecondenser 5; a sealed liquid refrigerant receiver 7; an evaporator 8 aliquid refrigerant conducting means or pipes 9, 1t} connecting theoutlet of the condenser 5' with the bottom of the receiver 7 and withthe intake of the evaporator 8; a heat exchanger 11 applied to thesupply line 5 within the receiver 7; a conduit 12 connecting the top ofthe receiver 7 with the supply line 6 and having therein a pressureactuated valve 13; and a refrigerant return line 14 connecting the exitof the evaporator 8 with the suction or intake of the compressor 4.

The compressor 4 may be of any suitable type adapted to receive spentgaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 8 through the suction line 14and to compress and deliver the gaseous refrigerant under high pressurethrough the pp y l ne 6 to the c de s r 5 an he cperat a if thiscompressor is controlled by a device 16 cooperating with a valve 17 inth pipe 10 which supplies liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 3. Thecondenser 5 may be of the type known either as air-cooled orevaporative, both of which are responsive to or controlled by thetempera ture of the ambient atmosphere and the capacity of which isvariable by cansing more or less liqnid refrigerant to back up in itscoils, and this condenser 5 is preferably located outdoors externally ofa wall 18 of the building in which the refrigeration system is housed. Te refrigerant gas supply line s may be provided with a purge valve 20,and the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the condensers may be providedwith the usual flo'w control valves 21, 22, respectively, while therefrigerant intake and exit ends of the evaporator 8 may also beprovided with the usual refrigerant-flow control valves 23, 2respectively, in a welhknowri manner. However, the provision of the heatexchanger 11 associated with the compressed refrigerant supply line 6beneath the normal liquid refrigerant level within the receiver 7, andthe pro vision of the automatically functioning gas pressure reliefvalve 13 in the conduit lz connecting the space within the sealedreceiver 7 above the liquid level therein with the supply line 6,constitute important features of the present {improved refrigerationsystem. i

As shown in FIG. 2,7the gas pressure release valve 13 may be of the typecomprising a casing 26 having a valve plunger 27 therein adapted tocontrol the now of refrigerant gas through the conduit 12; a flexiblediaphragm 28' sealing the casing interior from the ambient Iair'andclamped'in position by a cap 29; and a relatively'heavy compressionspring 3.9 coacting with the diaphragm 28 and reacting against a capscrew 31 adjustable relative to the cap 29 to vary the pressure at whichthe plu r'iger 27 opens and closes the passage through the conduit 12. Arelatively light spring 32 may also be interposed between the diaphragm2 8 and the casing 26 order to prevent the plunger 27 from stickingin'closed position when the diaphragm is subjected to gas pressure, butthe specific construction of the valve 13 is not novel.

When the improved refrigeration system has been constructed andassembled as above described, and the various valves have been properlyadjusted, adequate operating pressure can be maintained throughout theyear by merely controlling the pressure within the receiver 7. When thesystem is operating normally, the receiver 7 should be amply suppliedwith liquid refrigerant derived from the condenser '5 through the pipe9, so that the heat exchanger 11 will be completely submerged in theliquid. When the compressed warm refrigerant vapor is forced through thesupply line 6 by the compressor 4, this vapor heats the liquidrefrigerant in the receiver 7 and thereby raises the pressure withinthis sealed receiver.

This increase in receiver pressure automatically opens the diaphragmrelief valve 13 at the predetermined pressure to which this valve hasbeen set, and thereby releases the excess pressure into the supply line6 without forcing liquid refrigerant from the receiver back into thecondenser 5. But whenever the compressor discharge pressure drops andfalls below the relief valve setting, this valve closes and liquidrefrigerant will be forced out of the receiver 7 by the gas pressure inthe latter and flows through the pipes 9 into the condenser therebyreducing the available condensing surface. This operation continuesuntil the pressure within the condenser equals the receiver pressure,whereupon normal flow of liquid refrigerant from the condenser 5 to thereceiver 7 and evaporator 8 is resumed.

Thus, it will be noted that the heat exchanger 11 and the relief valve13 cooperate with the condenser 5 and receiver 7 to automaticallymaintain proper and most efiective circulation of the refrigerantthrough the system regardless of variations in the ambient airtemperature which controls the functioning of the condenser 5. Theimproved system is not only simple but is also highly reliable, and itsfunctioning may be varied by merely adjusting the single relief valve 13which is interposed between the refrigerant gas supply line 6 and thereceiver 7. The system. will also operate effectively regardless ofwhether the ambient air temperature is above or below that of the spacebeing refrigerated.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention:

1. A refrigerating system comprising, a refrigerant gas compressor, anatmospheric temperature responsive gaseous refrigerant condenser, acompressed refrigerant gas supply line directly connecting the dischargeof said compressor with the inlet of said condenser, a liquidrefrigerant receiver, a liquid refrigerant evaporator, liquidrefrigerant conducting means directly connecting the outlet of saidcondenser with said receiver below the liquid refrigerant level thereinand also connecting said condenser outlet with the liquid refrigerantintake of said evaporator, a heat transfer device associated with saidgas supply line in heat exchange relation with said receiver to heat theliquid refrigerant confined within said receiver responsive tocompressor discharge pressure, a conduit connecting said receiver abovethe liquid refrigerant level therein and being provided with valve meansfor relieving excess gas pressure over a predetermined value from thereceiver into said gas supply line, and a gaseous refrigerant returnline connecting the exit of said evaporator with the intake of saidcompressor.

2. A refrigerating system comprising, a refrigerant gas compressor, anatmospheric temperature responsive controlled gaseous refrigerantcondenser, a compressed refrigerant gas supply line connecting thedischarge of said compressor with the inlet of said condenser, a liquidrefrigerant receiver, a liquid refrigerant evaporator, liquidrefrigerant conducting means connecting the outlet of said condenserwith said receiver below the liquid refrigerant level therein and alsoconnecting said condenser outlet with the liquid refrigerant intake ofsaid evaporator, a heat transfer device responsive to compressordischarge pressure coacting with said gas supply line in heat exchangerelation with said receiver beneath the liquid level therein to convertliquid refrigerant confined within the receiver into gas, a conduitconnecting said receiver above the liquid refrigerant level therein andbeing provided with valve means operable by said gas for relievingexcess gas pressure over a preselected setting fromthe receiver intosaid gas supply line, and a gaseous refrigerant return line connectingthe exit of said evaporator with the suction side of said compressor.

3. A refrigerating system comprising, a refrigerant gas compressor, anatmospheric temperature controlled gaseous refrigerant condenser, acompressed refrigerant gas supply line connecting the dischage side ofsaid compressor with the inlet of said condenser, a liquid refrigerantreceiver, a liquid refrigerant evaporator, liquid refrigerant conductingmeans connecting the outlet of said condenser with the intake of saidevaporator and with said receiver below the liquid refrigerant leveltherein, a heat transfer device associated directly with and responsiveto pressure conditions within said gas supply line located in and inheat exchange relation with the receiver and being operable to convertliquid refrigerant confined within said receiver into gas, a conduitconnecting said receiver above the liquid refrigerant level therein andbeing provided with a valve for relieving excess gas pressure above apredetermined value from the receiver into said gas supply line, and agaseous refrigerant return line connecting the exit of said evaporatorwith the suction side of said compressor.

4. A refrigerating system comprising, a refrigerant gas compressor, anatmospheric temperature controlled gaseous refrigerant condenser, acompressed refrigerant gas supply line diectly connecting the dischargeside of said compressor with the inlet of said condenser, a liquidrefrigerant receiver, a liquid refrigerant evaporator, liquidrefrigerant conducting means direct-1y connecting the outlet of saidcondenser with said receiver and with the liquid refrigerant intake ofsaid evaporator, a heat transfer device responsive to conditions in.said gas supply line and located within said receiver in heat exchangerelation to the liquid refrigerant therein to gasify some of the liquidrefrigerant confined within the receiver, a conduit connecting saidreceiver above the liquid refrigerant level therein and being providedwith a receiver pressure actuated valve for relieving excess gaspressure above a predetermined value from the receiver into said gassupply line in order to vary the capacity of said condenser, and agaseous refrigerant return line connecting the exit of said evaporatorwith the suction side of said compressor.

Urban Oct. 3, 19'44 Aune Feb. 20, 1962

1. A REFRIGERATING SYSTEM COMPRISING, A REFRIGERANT GAS COMPRESSOR, ANATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE GASEOUS REFRIGERANT CONDENSER, ACOMPRESSED REFRIGERANT GAS SUPPLY LINE DIRECTLY CONNECTING THE DISCHARGEOF SAID COMPRESSOR WITH THE INLET OF SAID CONDENSER, A LIQUIDREFRIGERANT RECEIVER, A LIQUID REFRIGERANT EVAPORATOR, LIQUIDREFRIGERANT CONDUCTING MEANS DIRECTLY CONNECTING THE OUTLET OF SAIDCONDENSER WITH SAID RECEIVER BELOW THE LIQUID REFRIGERANT LEVEL THEREINAND ALSO CONNECTING SAID CONDENSER OUTLET WITH THE LIQUID REFRIGERANTINTAKE OF SAID EVAPORATOR, A HEAT TRANSFER DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH SAIDGAS SUPPLY LINE